By Lana Clifton
Dr. Richard Abernathy attended his last Bryant school board meeting as superintendent on Monday, June 21.
The board held a reception honoring Abernathy at the Bryant Middle School gym prior to the meeting. At the reception, the members of the board presented Abernathy with a plaque thanking him for his seven years of service to the district. Abernathy also received a basketball and plaque from the Boys and Girls Club of Bryant.
During the meeting, Abernathy thanked board members for the reception and said his years at Bryant had been good ones.
“We have had some really good times, and there have been some stressful times,” said Abernathy. “But overall, hopefully, I am leaving the District a little better than I found it.”
Abernathy went on to praise the District for hiring good people including Randy Rutherford, the new superintendent. Abernathy said he believes Rutherford will “keep moving the District forward.”[more]
Abernathy also presented a “State of the District” report in which he gave an overview of District statistics including new benchmark test results, attendance and per student expenditures. The report showed a steady increase over the years in proficient and advanced test scores. Abernathy attributed the scores to curriculum, learning specialists and staff development.
“To me, the most impressive thing [in the report] is the test scores,” expressed Abernathy. “I’m really pleased with 11th grade literacy.”
The 11th grade literacy scores showed 73 percent in the proficient and advanced ranges, the highest scores ever recorded in this category. This was up from 66 percent in 2009.
Brooks Jackson of Jackson, Brown, King Architects, presented a facility report to bring the board members up to date on the progress of the new high school facility. Board members decided they would hold a work session in early July to make some final design decisions.
In other business, the board approved a new information technology security policy, a cheer and tumbling services agreement, concrete work at Bryant Middle School and a portable building for Salem Elementary.
The board also approved the creation of a half-time administrator’s position at PLACE. The new position will be that of a teacher/administrator, which will replace the previous teacher/coach position there. The board approved the position to reduce the need for high school assistant principals to leave the main campus to assist with disciplinary issues at PLACE. The position will be on a regular teacher contract with a $2,500 stipend.
